Introducing Japanese Culture in Ghana

From October 4 to 8, Sumitomo Corporation (head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kuniharu Nakamura) participated in an event to introduce Japanese culture in Accra, the capital of Ghana.

With the aim of building good relationships with local communities, Sumitomo Corporation has been carrying out various events to introduce Japan’s traditional culture at its international business sites. When the Embassy of Japan in Ghana recently served as the host of Japan Week 2016, Sumitomo Corporation representatives traveled from Japan to Ghana to participate in the event. They joined the “Ghana Yosakoi Japan Festival 2016” and played important roles in various events in different places, including at the University of Ghana and a local automobile sales company. At the events, demonstrations and hands-on workshops were held to introduce Japanese calligraphy, wearing kimono, tea ceremony, flower arrangement and sushi-making, etc. Through these programs, Sumitomo Corporation employees enjoyed interactions with a total of 2,700 local people.

Sumitomo Corporation opened the Accra Liaison Office in 2011 to start from scratch in West Africa. Today on top of automobile sales with local partner companies, Sumitomo Corporation has been participating in a joint venture company for operation of one of Ghana’s largest combined cycle power plants. Construction of the 350 MW plant is now underway at Kpone, about 25 kilometers from Accra, with a projected start date in the latter half of 2017. The project is expected to contribute to the development of the local economy by helping reduce power shortages. Using the Accra office as our base, we are trying to develop our businesses to cover a wide area in West & Central Africa.

In the belief that contributing to the local communities in which we operate and facilitating mutual understanding with local people will serve as a foundation for the sustainable growth of our businesses, Sumitomo Corporation will continue conducting such cultural activities in different countries throughout the world.